He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts Education from the West Virginia Institute of Technology and was inducted into Epsilon Pi Tau, an international honorary scholastic fraternity for industrial arts education majors.  He also completed graduate-level courses in industrial arts at the University of Maryland, the University of Virginia, and George Washington University. 

 

Mr. Harris held a life membership in the National Education Association, the American Industrial Arts Association, the Virginia Industrial Arts Association, the Virginia Retired Teachers Association, and the American Association of Retired persons (AARP).  He was the first Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Virginia Industrial Arts Association, serving from 1958 to 1973.  He also served as the first President of the Fairfax County Industrial Arts Association and as the first Secretary of the Fairfax County Classroom Teachers Association.  He was the Sunday School Superintendent for the Fairfax Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia for more than 30 years. 

 

His professional career with Fairfax County Public Schools encompassed more than 30 years after an initial year at Albemarle High School.  He taught industrial arts for six years at Annandale High School before serving 11 years as Director of Maintenance and Plant Operations, one year as Associate Director for Programs and Budget for the Support Services Department, and Director of Safety for 12 years before retiring in 1983.  Diane Stewart Harris, his wife, is also a West Virginia native and retired from teaching at Northern Virginia Community College.  They had two children, Michael and Rachael, who also live in Northern Virginia. 

 

Among his noteworthy contributions to the educational community is his service for 35-plus years as volunteer Director, Vice President, and Chairman of the Board of Apple Federal Credit Union.  The Virgil B. Harris, Jr. Scholarship is funded by the Apple Federal Credit Union through a permanent endowment.  In recognition of leadership in the community and contributions to education, this organization is pleased to award a scholarship in the name of Virgil B. Harris, Jr.